Bobby Charles seeks to flout the most basic laws | Letter

Bobby Charles, a Republican attorney campaigning for governor, told a gathering of Maine Young Republicans in Arundel on August 26 that he plans to ask former Trump administration “border czar” Tom Homan to dispatch federal immigration agents to polling places across the state. The proposal, which surfaced in a letter to the editor in The Portland Press Herald, has sparked legal and political backlash from state officials and election‑rights advocates.

The statement came during a private meeting in the small town of Arundel, where the group celebrated a recent primary win. Charles, who is seeking to become the state’s highest‑level public servant, said in a recorded message that he would contact Homan—who served as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s assistant secretary for border management from 2017 to 2021—to “send the agents to the polling places” in Maine.

“This is a weird suggestion that has no basis in law or in the history of elections,” wrote Portland resident Ellen Murphy in a letter to the editor. “I was surprised to discover him unclear on some basic—and relevant—legal principles.” Her letter, which was published in the paper’s “Featured Letter” section, cited a 1865 federal statute that prohibits “troops and armed federal agents” from being deployed anywhere an election is held, including polling places, vote‑counting facilities, and drop boxes.

The constitutional framework for state elections is clear. Article I, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution grants each state the authority to determine “the times, places, and manner of holding elections for senators and representatives.” Congress can legislate only to the extent that it “makes or alters” state regulations, but it has no authority to direct executive branch officials—such as a “border czar”— to intervene in state electoral processes.

State officials have rebuffed the suggestion. “The idea of sending federal immigration officers to our polling stations is not only unnecessary—it’s illegal,” said a spokesperson for the Maine Secretary of State. “The federal law that dates back to the Civil War expressly prohibits the presence of armed federal personnel at any election site. This is a fundamental safeguard against undue influence.”

The claim that Homan, who left the administration after a brief tenure, could “send agents” has no precedent. Homan’s role as border czar involved coordinating the U.S. Army’s border operations with Customs and Border Protection, but the position has never authorized the deployment of federal agents to civilian elections.

Political commentators note that the suggestion comes at a time of heightened tension around voter suppression and election integrity. Several advocacy groups, including the Brennan Center for Justice, have repeatedly warned that the presence of armed federal officials at polling sites could intimidate voters and undermine confidence in the electoral system.

“We need to preserve the integrity of our elections by ensuring that only qualified, neutral officials oversee the process,” said a Brennan Center spokesperson. “Deploying federal immigration agents to Maine voting locations would be an unprecedented and illegal intrusion.”

Maine’s governor’s race is shaping up to be the most contested in the state in years. The Republican and Democratic primaries will determine each party’s nominees, with the general election slated for early 2027. Both parties have pledged to defend the election’s fairness and transparency, but the recent proposal from Charles has raised questions about the candidate’s understanding of the legal constraints governing elections.

In an interview following the letter’s publication, Charles declined to comment on the allegations, saying instead that his “priority is to ensure that Maine voters have a safe and secure way to cast their ballots.” He did not address whether he had actually contacted Homan or received any response.

For voters, the main takeaway is that Maine’s election laws remain firmly in place. The 1865 federal statute and the constitutional delegation of election authority to the states prohibit the presence of armed federal personnel at polling places. State officials have reiterated that any violation of this law would trigger federal enforcement.

As the campaign season heats up, observers will watch closely whether Charles will adjust his platform or if the suggestion will prompt a broader discussion about the limits of federal involvement in state elections. For now, the proposal sits on a shaky legal foundation that most legal experts and election officials deem untenable.